I've been a subscriber to Atomic since Issue 4. As you have noticed, my present two-year sub is going to run out soon.

I'm writing this memo to express my dissatisfaction, if that's not too mild a word, about how you have have decided to offer me, in return for my repeat business, one of three dated DVDs... in a foreign language.

As re-subscription offers go, this one rates on the wrong side of 'unappealing'. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's mildly concerning that you think such an 'offer' would appeal to me, or very many of my fellow Atomicans. (Heh. What's the two year subscription offer? An audio cassette "Highlights of the 1973 Romanian Female Weighlifting Championships"...?)

I'm a geek. I like technology. That's why I buy Atomic. So if you want me to re-subscribe, give me something technological . Or at least, the chance of winning something technological. But, cast-off DVDs in obscure languages like Hangungmal (Korean!) which, statistically speaking, you have probably guessed I don't speak...?

Er, no thanks. (Hell, I had to consult Wikipedia even to work out the correct spelling of the damned language.)

In closing, I think I will go back to buying Atomic at the newsstand until you come up with a better re-subscription offer. Yes, it will cost me more. But as a 6-year subscriber, I reckon I can hold for something a little bit better than an obscure foreign-language DVD.

Edited by Virtuoso: 29/7/2008 02:05:35 PM

----- But there’s no sense crying over every mistake. You just keep on mining till you run out of yellowcake.

Quote by VirtuosoQuote by .:Cyb3rGlitch:.Well the main purpose for subscribing is the cheaper price and better cover. The freebie is a bonus. So, you're a representative of the Haymarket marketing department now...?

No but I am.

One of the great things about Atomic is that the forums provide close contact with our readers, and I appreciate the feedback.

The current offer is performing as well as any we have recently had, so I'm not sure everyone agrees with you. I certainly don't and checked amongst our staff to see what they thought prior to agreeing to the offer. The consensus was that whilst it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, there are many out there who would enjoy it.

Yes Atomicans enjoy tech, that's a given. But sourcing items that would get Atomicans excited on a monthly basis is a more difficult concept.

I would rather you don't like the DVD and many other people do than freak out when Atomic offers a Playstation 2 as a subscription prize and only two of you throw your hats in the ring.

Also, i quite like foreign movies. You should check out Akira Kurosawa's 'Rashomon'; one of the great films of all time, Asian or otherwise.

PV, I've run your response through my marketing decoder, and here's the translation it provided:

---

I am a representative of the Haymarket Marketing Department.

Fuck you.

Fuck your opinion.

Other people don't have your opinion.

The staff also tell me you shouldn't have your fucked opinion.

Other people don't have your opinion, which, incidentally, is fucked.

My job is hard.

The fact that you don't like the DVD but other people seem to* is further evidence that your opinion is fucked.

I personally like foreign movies, which further demonstrates that your opinion is fucked.

If you had watched 'Rashomon' you too would realise why your opinion is fucked.

Even though you shouldn't find this month's offer fucked, you probably won't find next month's offer fucked, because it's technical in nature.

In closing: fuck you.

PV

---

Your response has left me in a bit of quandary, frankly.

I realise you can't please anyone, but as a 6 year rock solid customer, being told quite so many times that my opinion is invalid takes my mild dissatisfaction to a whole new level.

Particularly when my own straw-polling of a few other readers suggests that I am not alone in finding the offer unappealing. (*It raises the possibility that the response rate to your offer actually had nothing to do with the DVD, and more to do with apathy and continuation of subscriptions.)

In any case, I am master of my own subscription decisions. And you are responsible for whether your offers - and interactions with readers - increase or decrease the subscription base.

Edited by Virtuoso: 30/7/2008 1:18:48 PM

----- But there’s no sense crying over every mistake. You just keep on mining till you run out of yellowcake.

The point of his post was not to tell you that your opinion was worthless, it was just to say that we're finding this subs offer to be reasonably successful, so whilst we understand and are sorry you aren't enticed by the films, many people have been.

I'm not in marketing, and I'm not trying to second-guess how PV does his job, but I would guess that he has to vary the type of prize from month to month to reach everybody. The three preceeding subs prizes were RAM, Star Wars kit and a Conan PC game. Sounds like they're right up geek alley.

The films are foreign, sure, but they're action/kung-fu style films, so they're not THAT far removed from the standard atomican demographic.

As I said, PV certainly wasn't trying to tell you that your opinion is worthless or that you stand alone in your views (clearly not the case as your straw-polling indicates). And why would he, PV is in marketing, he's actively interested in not offending the readers. It's simply a matter of miscommunication.

And as PV says - next month's subs prize looks an absolute cracker . Hold off till then if the films don't take your fancy, because if you like tech, next month's will.

Quote by robzyVirt: I can see where you're coming from, but can't help but feeling as if you're taking it all a bit seriously. I wasn't all that serious. Just mildly dissatisfied. Until this morning :-)

Quote by smadge1to be honest, the only I reason I re-sub is to continue my sub. Bullshit. You only resubscribe because you want DVDs in foreign languages. You must be an idiot if you don't realise that ;-)

Quote by estateVirt, I think you may have misinterpreted what PV was getting at. well, I dunno. My marketing decoder is a finely tuned instrument. That it gave a consistent translation across multiple paragraphs, each indicating the desire to invalidate my opinion, suggests consistent results well within its usual design tolerances ;-)

Quote by Atomics_sonThe current offer is performing as well as any we have recently had, so I'm not sure everyone agrees with you. He’s not saying your opinion is invalid, he’s simply saying it’s been going quite well, so whilst it’s a shame you don’t like the films, more people than you might have guessed do like them.

I certainly don't and checked amongst our staff to see what they thought prior to agreeing to the offer. The consensus was that whilst it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, there are many out there who would enjoy it. Again, not attacking your opinion, but pointing out that he canvassed atomic staff about this and got a positive response; this wasn’t something chosen on a whim.

Yes Atomicans enjoy tech, that's a given. But sourcing items that would get Atomicans excited on a monthly basis is a more difficult concept. Acknowledging your point but at the same time implying that he’d like to do what you suggest but can’t due to external constraints.

I would rather you don't like the DVD and many other people do than freak out when Atomic offers a Playstation 2 as a subscription prize and only two of you throw your hats in the ring. Saying that it’s better overall if we offer a non-tech prize that many people will still like, even if you don’t, than offer a tech prize that’s too out of date or inappropriate and find nobody wants it at all. Imagine if it was a 4 megabyte USB drive. The thing’s useless.

Also, i quite like foreign movies. You should check out Akira Kurosawa's 'Rashomon'; one of the great films of all time, Asian or otherwise. Personal opinion and suggestion. Again, not discounting your opinion.